Controlling means for electric lighting installation of railway cars



March 14, 1933.

F. TRINCHERO CONTROLLING MEANS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHTING INSTALLATION OF RAILWAY CARS Filed Feb. 6, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet l yrh rcbero wwygjif March 14, 1933. F. TRINCHERQ CONTROLLING MEANS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHTING INSTALLATION OF RAILWAY CARS Filed Feb. 6, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 SfLfN/U'M CELL Patented Mar. 14, 1933 UNITED STATES FATENT ()FFICE EERRUCCIO TRINCHERO, or GENOA, ITALY, ASSIGNOR T0 ENRICO GARDA, or roam,

ITALY CONTROLLING MEANS FOR ELECTRIG- LIGHTING INSTALLATION OF RAILWAY CARS Application filed February 6, 1928. Serial No. 252,343.

This invention relates to a device for controlling electric lighting installations particularly adapted for-use in connection with railway cars that repeatedly pass from daylight zones to zones where artificial lighting is necessary.

This invention is applicable to either director alternating current installations and. comprises a main circuit for the lamps, a circuit shunted thereto including a selenium cell or a similar device with variable conductivity according to the intensity of light. An electro-magnet which operates an interrupter in the li ht circuit is controlled by two relays w ich are energized according to the resistance of the selenium cell and a-variable resistance in a second shunt circuit. The attraction of the electro-magnet for lighting or extinguishing the lamps being effected by the different intensity of the current in the circuits.

In carrying out the object of the invention generally stated above, it will be understood, of course, that the essential features thereof are susceptible to changes in details and structural arrangements, one preferred and practical embodiment being shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatical View, and Fig. 2 an end view showing the arrangement of the relays and circuit interrupters. Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary front view.

Referring to the drawings, in the main circuit are inserted the lamps L with a switch A controlled by the movement of a soft iron armature operated by a group of two relays forming the arrangement B. The current flowing in the two relays is distributed by means of the special switch C.

In the circuit 1l5 of the relay 14 there is inserted a resistance R capable of being regulated in pro-portion to the value of the ohmic resistance of the selenium cell S inserted. in the circuit l467 of relay 13, when said cell, which may be called the sensitive eye of the apparatus is nearly in the dark.

In the main circuit, before inserting the apparatus subject matter of the invention, there may be inserted a common switch to insulate the apparatus from the 'line and allow the lighting of the lamps by means of usual switches.

In the drawings it is to be assumed the selenium'cell S is in the dark and the lamps lighted according to the adjustment of the resistance R inserted in'the circuit 1-4-5 and'the current flowing therein is of a higher intensity than that flowing through the cell S. When this occurs the relay 14: attracts the armature" 19 to the position as shown in dotted lines, which action causes the pawl 15 of the insulating disc of the armature to make contact with the spring plate 16 on the insulating bearing member I whereupon the circuit through 10315 16112017'-85-relay 14: is closed. The resistance R at this time is inactive and the contacts20 and 17' are in engagement with each other before the snapping of the switch C, and the cell S is still illuminated. The current now'fiows through the main circuit and to the relay 14 suddenly drawing with force the armature, thus causing the same to assume the position as shown in full lines.

At the same instant the tooth 22 of the disc of the armature strikes against the wing 23 of the switch or circuit breaker C, whereupon the wing recoils while the other wing 25 pushes the small column 24; into the position shown in the drawings. The column 24 is held in place by the spiral spring 33 fixed to the pivot of the column, which carries the contact plates 20-21 insulated from one another, whereupon the contact 21 engages the contact 17 and the current is through 103151611-20 17 85 and relay 14 is broken and allows the circuit 1+5 with the resistance R included to be free again, so that the armature 19 may return in due time to its first position, illustrated in dotted lines and in the meantime always keeping the pawl 15 in contact with spring plate 16. Said arrangement allows the apparatus,while making the contact for lighting the lamps,- to be in condition to break the said contact as soon as the cell is acted upon by the sunlight; and when it is suiiiciently illuminated The relay 13 is at that moment traversed by a current of a high intensity, the arma-.

ture 19 being thus suddenly drawn and brought in the-oppositeposition illustrated in the drawings by a continuous line.

This movement at the, same moment causes thetooth 22 to strike against the wing 25 of the switch G with the contemporary displacement of column 24 by means of wing 23 and making the contact 2017 the circuit. 103'151812--21-17.-9- 6+1 being consequently broken and the cell being isolated.

The movementof the switch in-reverse directions is-limited by the pins 23: which may be suitably supported and are arranged in the path of-movement of the wing 23.

The interrupter A is a knife switch and is operated by a pawl'26 placed on the disc of the armature in a position symmetrical to that of pawl 15. The pawl 26, following the movement of the armature, acts between the arms of a rod 28 pivoting in a bearing member 27 united to wire 10. The rod 28 is connected through a coil spring-30 to the knife bearing rod 29 of the interrupter pivoting in the same support 27 The coil. spring 30 under suitable tension allows the knife to be secured in the positions it has been pushed to.

The two stops 31 and 32 with adjustable screw control the amplitude of the movemcntofrod29.

The apparatus is provided with only two magnets, no auxiliary magnets existing with intermediary controlling or connecting functions.

The apparatus works in both cases of a direct or alternate current, no current rectifier being necessary.

The movement of attraction of the magnet for lighting or extinguishing the lamps with the corresponding breaking of the circuits is caused by the different intensity of the current in the circuits no antagonistic springs being consequently required, a ready controlling effect and a safe stability in both the positions of the magnet being at the same time secured.

The switch owing to the characteristics of the arrangements described allows the use of direct or alternate current indifi'en ently.

A current of high intensity is flowing in the controlling circuits, relays and cell only in the moment on which switch and interrupter snap.

Both springs 16 and 18 are not antagonistic, but simple laminated springs securing and keeping the contact in both movements of the armature from the beginning of its attraction to its subsequent violent approaching to the magnet of the relay.

Sparking in the points of contact of the pawl of the armatures disc with both plates is avoided,- the "passage of said pawl from one to the other of its positions being very rapid and secure.

The eifectof the light may be modified at will so that the functioning of the installation may be anticipated. or delayed.

The selenium cell is protected by a special calotte shaped glass screen arranged on insulating socket on which the cell is fixed, the conducting wiresterminating also thereon. All these elements together form an important part of the installation and-may be called the sensitive eye, being normally arranged on a vertical plane to be better exposed to the different conditions of light. On the upper part of the glass calotte a spe cial cover may be'adapted even extending over the median line of the calotte, this cover being suitably made transparent or ground or-colored in order that a powerful light, directly incident upon the cell owing to the generation of a strong current will not cause a rapid deterioration of the cell. The sensitive eye gives, on the contrary, a diffused light uniformly distributed.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

An electric lighting installation especially adapted for lighting railway cars including a main ,circuit, a shunt circuit connected with the main circuit andincluding a selenium cell and an ,electro-magnet, a second circuit connected in shunt with the main circuit and including a second electro-magnet and a variable resistance, a circuit interrupter in said main circuit, an armature associated with said interrupter and actuated by said magnets to effect the opening and closing of said main circuit, means for cutting out said resistance temporarily in said second named shunt circuit in response to a current in said second named shunt circuit larger than the current in said first named shunt circuit and means for cutting out said selenium cell temporarily in said first named circuit in response to a current in said first named shunt circuit larger than the current in said second named shunt circuit whereby said main circuit may be opened and closed according to any variation of intensity or" light.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

FERRUCCIO TRINCHERO. 

